Door switch



April 24, 1945- D. coNLAN 2,374,585

DOOR SWITCH Filed March 11, 1944 3 Shees-sheet 1 I ,70' 44 INVENTOR.

2/ f BY April 24, 1945; D. coNLAN 2,374,585

DOOR SWITCH Filed March 11, 1944 3 SheeS-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. flqr/a (bzu/44W BY (MWXW farraR//fy April 24, 1945. D. coNLAN 2,374,585

DOOR SWITCH Filed March 11, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patcnted Apr. 24, 1945 DOOR SVVITCH David Conlan, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Conlan Electric Corporation, New York, N. Y.

Application March 11, 194.4, Serial No. 526,081

16 Claims. (Cl. ZOO- 54) The invention herein disclosed relates to door operated switches, such as used aboard ship for cutting off lights in a stateroom when a stateroom door is opened.

Special objects of the invention are to provide 'a switch of this character, which will be protected against injury from the slamming or hammering action Vof a door and which will remain in operative condition regardless of Warping or sagging of lthe door or other changes in the door closing action.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a switch of the Character outlined, of rugged, strong construction, which will 'not require any 'particular attention or servicing and which will be of simple, Adurable and wholly practical construction.

Other desirable objects and the novel features 'by which all purposes of the invention are attained are hereinafter set forth orwill appear in the course of the following specification.

The drawings a'ccompanying and forming part of the specification illustrate a present practical embodiment of the invention, but it will become apparent as the invention is understood that the structure may be modified and changed in Various ways, all within the true intent and broad scope of the invention. as hereinafter defined and claimed.

Fig. 1 is a front view of the switch unit as applied to the door casing, with the cover of the box removed.

Fig. 2 is a similar View, with over the switch removed.

Fig. 3 is a broken View showing parts in position ,with the switch Operating plunger forced in by the door.

Fig. 4 is a like view but showing the looking `sleeve turned vto secure the plunger in retracted position.

Figs. 5 and 6 are horizontal sectional views as on the lines 5- and 6-6 respectively of Figs. 3 ,and 4.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged broken sectional detail of the door plunger structure with the parts in the' position shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a part Vertical seotional view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 9 and 10 are enlarged cross-sectional details as on lines 9-9 and Iil-IB respectively of Fig. 3. v Figs. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional details as on su'bstantialhT the lines ll-l I, l2-I2 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 13 .is an end view and Fig'. 14 is a longithe wiring panel tudinal sectional view of the guiding and packing tube for the spring abutment plunger.

Figs. 15 and 16 are detached Views of the inner, plunger guiding and supporting tube and the outer, looking sleeve for the plunger.

Fig. 17 is a front view of the switch, with terminal block removed, in the closed circuit position and with the looking sleeve turned as in Fig. 4, to secure it in that relation.

Fig. 18 is a similar View, with a special terminal block in place and with the door plunger unlocked and projecting as in the switch open position of Fig. 2.

Fig. 19 is a broken sectional view of a modified form of the plunger construction.

The complete switch unit comprises a watertight enclosure adapted for mounting on a door casing and containing switch mechanism operable by a projecting door engageable plunger.

The enclosure is shown las consisting of abox 28, having a watertight cover 2|.

The switch mechanism may vary in construction; the one shown being of the snap action spring toggle type having a movable contact 22, adapted to' be snapped into and out of engagement with the stationary contacts 23, through the controlling agency of a plunger 24, mounted for sliding movement in a bracket 25. The contacts 23, have suitable wiring terminals 26, 21.

The door actuated plunger is designated 28, and is shown guided in a cross tube 29, welded or otherwise fixedly secured in opposite side 'walls of the box.

The plunger 28, at its inner end carries a laterally projecting lug 3G, having an inclined cam face 3 l, at its inner end for depressing the switch plunger and a straight continuation or land 32, for holding the switch plunger in the depressed, switch closed position. I

To reduce friction and promote smoother, easy switch action, the plunger or cam face may carry a friction eliminating roll, such as indicated at 33.

The box wall through which the door plunger projects is shown as carrying an internal tubular projection 34, with screw discs 35, 35, therein, for compressing suitable packing .31, therebetween, into water sealing engagement with the plunger.

The plunger guiding tube 29, is shown as longitudinally slotted at 38, for projection and guiding of the switch Operating lug, the closed end of this slot at 39, limiting the out-stroke or extent ofl 'projection of the plunger.

In the 'illustratiorn the slot 38, is shown as opening out through the opposite end of the guide tube in line with the radially extending portion 40, of a keyhole slot formed in a flange 4|, in a packing tube 42, fixed in the wall of the box. The circular portion 43, of this keyhole slot is of a size to receive and guide the inner end of a spring abutment plunger 44. The latter carries a laterally extending lug 45, adapted to be entered through the notch 40, and to extend radially out through the slot 38, into a keyway in a looking sleeve surrounding the guide tube.

A coil spring 40, interposed in the guide tube between the two plungers serves to yieldingly project the door plunger and to retain the abutment plunger in either one of two fixed positions.

The abutment plunger is 'shown as paoked watertight :bypacking 41, clamped between the discs 48, 49, screwed into the tube or bushing 42, these having cross slots 50, or the like, engageable by a suitable wrench for seouring them in place. The inner screw disc 48, by closing the radial notch 40, behind the lug 45, serves as a retainer to hold the spring abutment plunger in guided position within this watertight b'ushing.

The looking sleeve 5|, is shown as rotatably engaged about the guide tube and as longitudinally slotted at 52, for passage of the cam lug 30, at one end and to receive the key lug 45, of the spring abutment plunger at the opposite end.- This slot is shown as widened at 53, to provide an ab-rupt looking shoulder 54, which when the door 'plunger is pushed in, can be turned in front of the cam 30, to lock the plunger in the retraoted position; Fig. 4.

To permit the rotative adjustment of the key lug 45, necessary to turn the sleeve into the looking position, the open end of the guide slot 3B, in the inner tube is shown as widened o'ut at 55, Figs. 7 and 15.

The looking sleeve while freely rotatable is held against longitudinal shifting movement by being confined' at one end, Fig. '7, by the inner end of the packing tube 34, and at the opposite end by the annular flange 4|, in the other packing tube 42.

In the unlocked position of the parts, Figs. 3, 5 and 7. the looking sleeve is seoured by reason of the lug 45, on the spring abutment plunger 44, seating in the notch 40, in fiange 4|, at the back. To release the plunger and looking sleeve, the plunger may be pushed inward to the dotted line position shown in Fig. '7, clear .of the notch 40, and then the plunger may be turned in the wider portion 55, of the slot in the guide tube, so as, by engagement in slot 52, in the sleeve, to rotate the'sleeve into yposition to carry the looking shoulder 54, in front of the cam on the door plunger.

The parts are secured in this locked position, in the |present illrustration, by the key lug 45, of the abutment plunger dropping back into a notch or reoess v56, in the face of the flange 4|.

For'the purpose of sliding and 'rotating the spring aboutment plunger 44, into and out of the two positions desoribed, this plunger may have a knob or some other suitable aotuating means on the outer end of the same, such as in the illustration, a cross slot 51, for a screw driver or like tool.

'I'he switch is shown as reinforoed by a back plate 58, through which the sorews 50, are extended to secure the switch structure to the back or bottom wall of the box. The switch mounting and reinforcing plate 58, is shown as g asvaese extended at 60, across the back of the switch and brought up at 6|, around the end of the bracket 25, in which the plunger 24, operates, thus to re-` inforce the bracket and serve additionally as a guide for the switch plunger.

The switch is covered and lprotected in the illustration, b-y an overlying terminal base or panel 82, seoured at one end by screws 63, engaging screw seats 64, in the insulating switch base B5, and at the other end by a screw 66, engaged with the overturned end 61, of the switch mounting plate 58.

The insulating block or panel 62, as shown in Fig. 1, covers the switch mechanism and all or the main portions of the door plunger, switch throwing cam and the guide tube and looking sleeve. This, as furthershown in Fig. 8, leaves the entire forward or outer portion of the box free and clear for wiring purposes. The two usual wiring terminals 26, 21, of the switch are indicated in Figs. 1 and 8, as projecting forwardly through' openings 12, in the panel, to enable direct attachment of the Wire terminals 08, 69, thereto. If other wiring terminals are desirable, these may be 'mountedon the panel 62, after the manner indicated at 10 and 1| in Fig. 1, those at one side, if desired, being connected by a jumper or bus bar with one of the live terminale 26, 21, and those at the other side being simila'rly connected with the the other live terminal.

The cam 30, is` designed to actuate the switch plungersmoothly and easily with either quick or slow door -closing movements. Any extra travel, which might be oocasioned by hard slamming of the door is taken up by the flat part of the cam 32, riding under the roller 33, on the a end of the switch plunger, so that any overthrow which might be occasioned by door slamming or by sagging or warping of the door will not injure the switch and the switch in all cases will be lproperly operated and held in closed position while the door is closed.

The spring abutment plunger 44, by projection of the key lug45, through the widened portion 55, of the slot in the inner guide tube, into the key slot 52, in the outer looking sleeve 5|, serves to position and hold the looking sleeve rotatively on the guide tube. Normally the key lug 45, by its partial seating in the notch 40, Fig. 7, serves to retain the looking sleeve in the unlocked position, with the cam plunger projecting but free to be pushed inward by the door.

When it is desired to look the switch in closed position, it is only necessary to force the door plunger inward, if it is not then held inward by the door, and then with a screw driver or other implement, push the spring plunger 44, inward far enough to carry the key lug 45, clear of the notch 40, and whereupon it can then be turned far enough to carry the looking shoulder 54, on the sleeve into Vposition in front of the abrurpt end of the cam, Figs. 4 and 6, and Aat which time, with inward pressure on the plunger released, the plunger will drop back to seat` the key lug in the second looking notch 56. In Figs. 3 and 5, plrunger 44, is shown as pushed inward for the purpose of clearing the key lug 45, from the looking notch 40, preparatory to turning it to the Figs. 4 and 6 position for rotating the sleeve into looking position.

To prevent the spring abutment plunger being pushed' inward too far, that is, to a point where the key lug 45, might enter the narrow guide slot 38, and thus hold the' plunger against rotary nal Ablock 74, removably secured a'diustm'ent, .some kind :of stop maybe provided, such :asa vcross pin 1-3, in the 'ou'ter end por'tion of the .plunge'n which will engage the :end of 'the fipachin'g tube 4:2, vto limit .the plunger :to :a position where the key iug '45, 'may -operate fonly 'in 'the 'wider portion 55, of Athe slot in the guide tube.

Figs. 17 and 1'8 show the .switch .as equipped with a special wiri'ng panel 62, carrying a termion the panel by 'screw '15. This Vterminal lblock Vmay be of any desired size and 1carry any number vof wiring terminals 16. IIhose two nearest 'the center 'of the 'block `:are shown 'as equipped with binding .'screws =`l 1, :for -securing the wires 18, T9, "brought Vup from the switch terminals (26, 27) at the back fof the panel.

'The :box in this particular illustration is shown `as having oonduit fittings 8,0, at both the top .and .the fibottom, provided for 'carrying continuous wiring through the box, in the clear portion in front of the terminal block.

'Special 'means 'maybe provided 'for accurately locatingthe switch mechanism in the box, .so that it will always 'be properly 'operated by the cam on the plunger. Such means lare shown at 8|, Figs. 17 and '18, in the form of guide pins :projecting from the back of the box into cor- -respondingly disposed positioning openings in 'the switch base plate l58. These guide pins take some .of the load off the securing screws 59, and .are vparticularly -desirable in the case of heavier Operating yswitch mechanism, .such as may .be present zin the case of double poled or uquad switches used in the box.

The form of `the invention illustrated in Fig. 1'9, 4is in some respects sim-pler and less expensive in construction than that first disclosed, particularly in that the guide tube and looking sleeve are dispensed with 'and the two plungers are connected so as Vto operate as one, through the packing tubes in the opposite sides of the box.

"Specifically, the door engaged plunger 28', is shown as "screwed into one end of a cylindrical cam member 39', andthe abutment vplunger 44', is -shown screwed in the `opposite end of the same cam vmember and these two plung'ers Operating through "packing glands 34', 42', in the opposite boxwalls. 'The spring dii', in this case, is inter- "posed bet-ween't'he inner end of packing tube 42', 'and the inclined or -conical end portion '3I', of .'the cam and the `'opposite end of the cam is shown fasenga'geable with the inner end of packing tube 34', to limit the foutward thrust of lthe `door plunger.

In this last illustrated 'form of the inventicn, the looking of the switch in closed condition is accomplished by pulling on the knob 82, on the `'outerend of 'abutment lplunger 44', to clear the 'cross -pin`83, on .that :plunger from slot 84, in the guide tube 42', and by 'then turning the knob and dropping'it .back to engage this cross pin in ,a holdingor looking notch 85, and in which latter ri'e1ation,-the connected .plungers and cam will be .held retract-ed, with the switch in closed condition.

What is .claimed is:

ll. .A :door switch, comprising an -enclosure 'for ;mountingon a door caSing, a plunger projecting y`from said enclosure for :actuation 'by a door in said door .casing an electric switch mounted in .said enclosure and having, .a switch Operating element, a cam on said plunger within the casing .and operati-velyengaged vwith .said switch operating ;elemenha 'tubular member about Said `zp'lunger, said tubular member and plunger being ;rela- 'tively Vrotatable ;in the 'retracted :position .of the plunger `and .having :Shoulders co-'operat-ively en- Vgageable upon such i'e'lative lrotation in 'the Ir'e'tracted position tosecure :and hold said .plun'ger so fretrac'ted.

12. .A :door switch, compr'ising l'an enclosure for mounti-ng lon a'doorcasing, a fplunger projecting .from said 'enclosure 'for actuation by a door in lsaid 'door casing, an electric switch mounted in 'said enclosure `and having a switch operating element, :afcam'on said plunger Within the -casing vandoperatitrely enga'ged with said switch operat- 'ing lelement, a Llooking sle'eve ad'iustable about said plungercwithi'n the en'closure Vand 'having a holding shoulder fifor engagement with the cam :and (externally accessibl'e means for effecti-ng lo'ckingandunlocking adjustm'ents of said sleeve.

f3. A door -switch,-comprising a lbox for mountling `=on a door casing, a guide tube -fextending across between -opposite side walls of lsaid box, va .door vengageable :p'lunger .projecting from one :end of said tube, a lspring abutment engaged lin the oppo'siteend-of 'the tube, ya plunger `projecting spring 7eng'aged in the tube between lsaid abutment and .plunger and van 'electric switch within the box having a movable element -opera-tively connected `with said -plungen 4. Adoor switch, comprising a box 'for mounting on a ldoor casing, a guide tube extending facross between opposite side walls of said box, 'a 'door 'enga'gea'ble 'plunger Vprojecting 'from one Jend |of said tube, a :spring abutmentengaged in the oppos'it'e end of the tube, a plunger projecting spring lengag'ed 'lin the -tube between said abutment and plunger, 'an 'electric switch Within 'the box, said switch having a movableoperating elementand said plunger Zhaving -a projecting por- :tion operatively lengaging said element, the tube 'having aslot through which said proiecting por- 'tion protrudes.

5. A door switch, comprising a box for mount- Ving on a door -casing, a guide tube extending Vacross between `opposite side walls of 'said box, a door engageable .plunger lprojecting fromoneend of said tube, Aa spring abutment -engaged in the opposite end of the tube, a plunger projecting spring engaged in the 'tube between said abutlment and plunger, 'an electric switch within the box, said switch having a movable VOperating element, 'said plunger having a projecting portion operatively enga'ging said element, 'the tube having a slot through which said projecting 4portion protrudesand a 'looking member movably mounted on said tube and having a looking shoulder `COOlDerative with said `IJI'OJ'ecting zportion lof the plunger.

`46. A door switch, comprising a box for mounting on a ldoor casing, a guide tube extending across between opposite lside walls of said box, a door engageab'le Iplunger projecting'from) one 'end of said tube, a Vplunger projec'ting spring en'gaged in the tube between said abutment and plunger, an electric switch within the box, said switch having a movable Operating element, said plunger vhaving 'a projecting portion operatively engaging said element, the tube having a 'slot through which said proiecting portion protrudes, a looking member movably mounted on said tube and having a looking shoulder cooperative with said projecting portion of the plunger, the spring a'butment 'being 'adjustabl'e within the tube and having connection with said 'looking member for effecting locking and unlocking adjustments of the same.

7. A door switch, comprising a box for mounting on a door casing, a guide tube extending across between opposite side walls of said box, a door engageable plunger projecting from one end of said tube, a spring abutment engaged in the opposite end of the tube, a plunger projecting spring engaged in i the tube between said abutment and plunger, a switch within the box, said switch having a movable operating element and a cam projecting from the plunger into operative relation with said switch operating element, said tube having a guide slot receiving said cam.

8. A door switch, comprising a box'for mounting on a door casing, a guide tube extending across between opposite side walls of said box, a door engageable plunger projecting from one end of said tube, a spring abutment engaged in the the opposite end of the tube, a plunger projecting spring engaged in the tube between said abutment and plunger, a switch within the box, said switch having a movable Operating element, a cam projecting from the plunger into operative relation with said switch Operating element, said tube having a guide slot receiving said cam, said cam having an active switch throwingV portion and an inactive switch holding portion.

9. A door switch, comprising a box for mounting on a door casing, a guide tube extending across between opposite side walls of said box, a door engageable plunger projecting from one 'end of said tube, a spring abutment engaged in the Vopposite end of the tube, a plunger projecting spring engaged in the tube between said abutment and plunger, a switch within the box, said switch having a movable Operating element, a cam projecting from the plunger into operative relation with said switch Operating element, said tube having a guide slot receiving said cam and a looking sleeve rotatably mounted on the tube and having a shoulder for holding engagement with the cam, said spring abutment being operatively connected with said sleeve and being rotatably adjustable within the tube for purposes of looking and unlocking the plunger and said tube having means for looking said abutment in the plunger locked position of the same.

10. A switch box, a guide tube extending across said switch box and opening through opposite side walls of the same, said tube having a longitudinal guide slot open at one of said side walls and said side wall having a notch in line with said guide slot, a plunger adapted to be entered through said end of the guide tube and having la projecting lug to pass through said notch into guided relation in said slot, a spring in the guide tube in back of Said plunger, an abutment plunger entered in the guide tube in back of said spring, means for retaining said last mentioned plunger in position forming an abutment for the spring,

.the first mentioned plunger projecting from the opposite end of the tube for operation by a door or the like, and an electric switch within the box having an Operating element engageable by said projection on the plunger.

11. A switch box, a guide tube extending across said switch box and opening through opposite sidev walls of the same, said tube having a longitudinal guide slot open at one of said side walls and said .side wall having a notch in line with said guide slot, a' plunger adapted to be entered through 'said end of the guide tube and having a projecting lug 'topassthrough said notch into guided relation in said slot, a spring in the guide tube in back of said plunger, an abutment plunger entered in the guide tube in back of said spring, means for retaining said last mentioned plunger in position forming an abutment for the spring, the first mentioned plunger projecting from the opposite end of the tube for operation by a door or the like, an electric switch within the box having an Operating element engageable by said projection on the plunger, a sleeve rotatably engaged on the guide tube between said opposite side walls of the box, said sleeve being slotted for free passage of the plunger projection' and having a looking shoulder shiftable by rotation of the sleeve into holding engagement with the projection, the spring abutment plunger Vhaving a key lug adapted to enter through the notch in the box wall into engagement in the slots in the fixed guide tube and rotatable looking sleeve and said guide tube having a keeper notch disposed at one side of the longitudinal slot therein for receiving and holding said key lug.

12. A switch box, a guide tube extending across said switch box and opening through lopposite side walls of the same, said tube having a longitudinal guide slot open at one of said side walls and said side wall having a notch in line with said guide slot, a plunger adapted to be entered through said end of the guide tube and having a projecting lug to pass through said notch into guided relation in said slot, a spring in the guide tube in back of said plunger, an abutment plunger entered in the guide tube in back of said spring, means for retaining said last mentioned plunger in position forming an abutment for the spring, the first mentioned plunger projecting from the opposite end of the tube for operation by a door oi' the like, an electric switch within the box having an Operating element engageable by said projection on the plunger, a sleeve rotatably engaged on the guide tube between said opposite side walls of the box, said sleeve being slotted for free passage of the plunger projection and having a locking shoulder shiftable by rotation of the sleeve into holding engagement with the projection, the

spring abutment plunger having a key lug adapted to enter tln'ough the notch in the box wall into engagement in the slots in the fixed guide tube and rotatable looking sleeve, said guide tube having a keeper notch dsposed at one side of the longitudinal slot therein for receiving and holding said key lug and a second keeper notch for receiving and holding said key lug in a partly turned position of the abutment plunger with the locking shoulder of the sleeve free of the plunger projection.

13. A door switch, comprising a switch box, plunger means having portions projecting from opposite sides of the box, one projecting portion for engagement and operation by a door and the other projecting portion being manually operable, switch mechanism in said box, a cam operable by the door actuated projecting portion of said plunger means and arranged to effect actuation of said switch mechanism and means operable by'said manually actuated projecting portion for securing said plunger means and switch mechanism in predetermined condition, said means including a tubular member about said plunger means and said plunger means and tubular member being relatively rotatable in the retracted position of the plunger and having interlocking elements cooperable in such relative rotation to effect the securing of the plunger means in retracted position.

14. A door switch, comprising a support, a door engageable pluger projecting from one side of said support, a cam connected with the inner end portion of said plunger, an abutment plunger projecting' from the other side of the support and connected at its inner end with said cam, a spring for projecting the door engageable plunger, switch mechanism mounted on said support and operable by said cam and interlocking means on said abutment plunger and support for releasably retaim'ng said door' plunger and switch mechanism in predetermined relation, said means including a tubular member about said abutment plung'er engageable in the retracted position of the connected plungers for securing the door engageable plunger in retracted position.

15. A door switch, comprising a support, a door engageable plunger projecting from one side of said support, a cam connected with the inner end portion of said plu'nger, an abutment plunger projecting from the other side of the support and connected at its inner end with said cam, a spring for projecting the door engageable plunger, switch mechanism mounted on said support and operable by said cam and interlocking means on said abutment plunger and Support for releasably retaining said door plunger and switch mechanism in predetermined relation, including cooperable elements engageable and disengageable by longitudinal and rotative movements of said abutment plunger on said support and means for limiting the extent of such engaging and disen- .gaging movements of said abutment plunger.

16.'A door switch comprising an enclosure for inounting on a door casing, a plunger projecting vfrom said enclosure for actuation by a door in said door casing, an electric switch mounted in said enclosure and having a switch operating element, a cam operated by said plunger within' the casing and engageable with said switch Operating element for effecting actuation of the switch, a

DAVID CONLAN; 

